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Post by Rebecca on Feb 4, 2008 17:35:05 GMT -5
*As the sound of a man's voice raised in outrage came muffled through the door, Becca leaped to her feet while Vianne rubbed her forehead with a pained expression.*
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Post by Rebecca on Feb 4, 2008 18:38:59 GMT -5
***POST-STUDY***
*Heloise sat calmly taking coffee as the troupe entered the room. She placed down her cup and stood to greet them.*
"Ah, these must be your charming parents," *she said to Rebecca with all the elegant good breeding of the very rich and very aristocratic.* "Sir Percy--a very great honour. And your wife, I take it? Lady Blakeney, it is a pleasure."
*Becca pressed her lips together and looked at her father.*
"Madame...Papa has something he wishes to speak with you about..."
"Oh?"
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Post by Sir Percy on Feb 4, 2008 18:42:06 GMT -5
((Dame Judi, forgive me of my trespasses, and please don't hurt me))
Percy smiled charmingly at the ancient Dowageress.
"Comtess," he said softly, "I was wondering what emboldened you so as to spread such dark rumors about my daughter and your son. After all, a woman such as yourself surely has better things to do that gossip like an old harridan."
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Post by Philippe on Feb 4, 2008 18:43:41 GMT -5
*Philippe suddenly became very interested in the view from the window.*
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Post by Sir Percy on Feb 4, 2008 18:46:51 GMT -5
((*snickers* Phillippe, I love you.))
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Post by Rebecca on Feb 4, 2008 18:48:06 GMT -5
*Heloise chuckled.*
"Monsieur...you are a man who well understands business, are you not? Your daughter will have brought this family a considerable dowry--as I assume a loving father would leave her a portion equal to her brother's inheritance. Half of the Blakeney millions is enough to make any caring mother sit up and take notice. And I, Monsieur, have made your daughter a Comtess! The daughter of a Baronet is a charming little thing, of course...but you cannot deny that I have elevated her to a higher distinction amongst her peers."
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Post by Philippe on Feb 4, 2008 18:50:47 GMT -5
*Philippe softly began banging his head against the window pane. He turned and winked at Rebecca before continuing his attentions to the glass.*
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Post by Rebecca on Feb 4, 2008 18:52:27 GMT -5
*Becca bit back a laugh and contented herself with gnawing on her lower lip.*
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Post by Sir Percy on Feb 4, 2008 18:52:48 GMT -5
Percy's smile was almost cruel.
"And what will you do, Comtess," he said very softly, "if I return my daughter to her own household? There are few who will listen to your rumors once I establish the truth. You will be made a fool."
He glanced quickly at Rebecca, silently reassuring her that he was only testing the Comtess.
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Post by Rebecca on Feb 4, 2008 18:54:47 GMT -5
*Heloise's eyes snapped and she quickly dispensed with the pleasantries.*
"The marriage is legal, valid, and finally consummated only just last night," *she stated bluntly.* "The girl's presence in the house matters not--everything she is, has, or ever will be or have belongs to her husband's family."
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Post by Philippe on Feb 4, 2008 18:57:13 GMT -5
*Philippe silently walked over to Rebecca, took her hand and led her out of the room.*
"We do not need to hear this. I do not wish to and you shall have to indulge me.*
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Post by Sir Percy on Feb 4, 2008 18:59:06 GMT -5
Percy's eyes narrowed.
"In England, Madame, we think differently. And according to English law, a daughter and her dowry will remain with the house even after marriage, if her father wills it."
He looked down at her.
"However, my daughter is happy here, and I have no desire to make her leave. You will admit your mistakes to the ton, and remove all traces of tarnish from my daughter and son-in-law. If you lose face...so be it."
"In return, I will give Phillippe Rebecca's dowry, with the express contract drawn up that she is to be the sole handler and beneficary, barring any children, save for her desire to ask her husband for help in dispensing it."
"Refuse to admit your rumors, and Rebecca will return to England, and English law will be solidly on our side."
"Have we an agreement?"
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Post by Rebecca on Feb 4, 2008 19:00:01 GMT -5
*Heloise looked at Percy shrewdly but said nothing as Philippe led Becca away.*
Becca looked stricken as they entered the hallway.*
"She...she was...she had someone...listening or..." *she gulped.* "watching us?"
*Her memories of the night before suddenly seemed tarnished and vulgar, and her face turned alarmingly pale.*
And if she refuses...
*Heloise quirked a brow and shrugged.*
"Very well, then. Take your daughter back to England, and much joy may you have in her. I shall find a way to lawfully end this ill-advised match so that my son may have a chance at a wife more worthy of his station."
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Post by Sir Percy on Feb 4, 2008 19:04:50 GMT -5
Percy bowed.
"My thanks, Comtess."
He left the room as quietly as he came, Vianne beside him.
In the hallway he met his daughter's eyes.
"If she ends the marriage and you still desire to be with Phillippe, the solution is simply to get married again. There is little she can do."
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Post by Rebecca on Feb 4, 2008 19:07:42 GMT -5
*Becca's mouth dropped open a little. She could be free of this. She could go home with her parents. She could...leave Philippe.
She looked at him, then at her parents. Then she turned and ran from them all, locking herself in her room.*
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